Saturday, July 16, 2011

Herbal Home Remedies

Herbal Home Remedies Dr Abe V Rotor1. Ipil-ipil seed expels worms.

Ipil-ipil seeds make an effective antihelminthic or deworming agent for both young and adult. Gather mature seeds of ipil-ipil (Leaucaena glauca), pulverize and mix with condensed milk or fruit puree. Three to five seeds to two tablespoonfuls of milk or juice make a dose, which is taken only once – or repeated after a week, if necessary. Mimosin in ipil-ipil, among other substances, expel common internal parasites like roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), tapeworm (Taenia solium), and hookworm, which are often contacted in unsanitary environments. Among the symptoms of internal parasitism is bad breath, constant stomach discomfort or pain, and enlargement of the stomach.

This annual herb appears waxy and translucent for which it got its name, pellucidus. It is shallow rooted, its stem succulent and bears alternate heart-shaped turgid leaves that are transparent and smooth as candle wax. It grows 20 to 40 cm high, often in groups, and favoring damp and shady places in some nooks in the garden and around the house. It bears tiny dot-like flowers scattered along a stalk which develop into naked and dark seeds loosely attached to it.

The whole plant is prepared either as fresh or blanched salad, complete with fresh tomato, onion and a dash of salt. The more common preparation is as decoction, with appreciable amount of the plant’s stem and leaves brought to boiling.A glassful of this preparation taken daily proves effective to people who are suffering of arthritis.

3. Celery is known as health food and medicine.

Botanically known as Apium graveolens, this member of the parsley family has been known as a powerful alkaline vegetable and medicine as far back as Hippocrates’ time. It is rich in vitamins A, B, and C.It provides the body with the needed minerals, such as potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium.

These properties explain the effectiveness of celery in curing rheumatism and arthritis by neutralizing uric acid and other excess acids in the body and purifying the blood, thus detoxifying the body as a whole. The high sodium content prevents calcium from forming deposits in the body.

Celery is used in a number of ways, such as the following preparations:

·Salad- Celery is served raw like any salad or side dish.

·Celery juice – Wash well, add water and put it in a juicer or blender.

·Tea - Celery tea is prepared from its seeds

·Combined with other herbs, such as pepper (Capsicum). Celery goes well with apples and oranges in the diet. Avoid spices, pickles and sauces.

Use organically grown celery to be sure it does not contain pesticide residues and toxic metals. Look for the guarantee label when buying.Better still, grow your own vegetable.

Old folks simply make a poultice from the leaves of this leguminous tree, Gliricida sepium.It is applied on the swollen area caused by hematoma, sprain, and infection until the inflammation subsides. This remedy is not popular because of the nauseating odor of kakawate. It is this characteristic odor that makes the plant an effective remedy for skin disorder (galis) in pets caused by licks, lice and flea.

5. Bark of narra tree controls diabetes.Now it is being commercialized – a tablet for diabetic patients prepared from the bark of narra (Pterocarpus indicus). Actually this is an old remedy in the tropics where narra abounds. Narra belongs to Dipterocarpaceae (two winged seed), the family which constitutes the dominant trees in a tropical rainforest. Old folks simply strip off a part of the bark, boil it and drink the decoction. According to laboratory analysis narra is rich in tannin which is the active principle that controls diabetes.

6. Makahiya is remedy for colds, cough, fever and flu.

Who would believe this extremely shy plant to be a potent cure? Gather some ten fresh mature leaves of makahiya (Mimosa pudica), boil for five minute in two cups of water in clay or stainless pot. Allow the decoction to cool before drinking it. Take it twice or thrice a day.

7. Garlic is remedy for heart burn and gas pain.

This is an old remedy I learned from my auntie when I was a kid. Anyone is predisposed to suffer of colic pain and heart burn which are usually associated with tension, indigestion, and sudden change of weather. And sufferers are of all ages. Try this folk remedy.Roast four cloves of garlic under low heat. While still warm place them in a pair of bandage made of gauze or strip of cloth, and wrap each around the large toes with the garlic placed well below the toe nail. Allow the garlic for a couple of hours or overnight to draw out the trapped gas in the chest cavity that causes heart burn, and colic gas in the stomach and intestine. It is effective. Try it.

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About Me

Award-winning author of "The Living with Nature Handbook" (Gintong Aklat Award 2003) and "Living with Nature in Our Times" (National Book Award 2008); Recipient Father Jose P Burgos Achievement Award (2016); professor, University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University-D; former Director, National Food Authority; and Consultant on food and agriculture, Senate of the Philippines.